Frank was a graduate of Perry School. He played high school football and drums. He was a faithful and one of the oldest members of the Perry Center First Congregational Church where he served on many committees including deacon and trustee. Frank worked on the Ireland family dairy farm since he was 11 years old. He milked dairy cows, raised heifers, tended to hogs and chickens. He enjoyed gardening, painting and mowing the family’s yard. He also enjoyed hauling water year round to farms and filling pools in the summer months throughout the county. He served on the Wyoming County Planning Board for 10 years and was also a Perry Town Board member. These jobs were important to him and he took great pride in his dedication to those positions. He won the Conservation Farmer of the year in 1972. He was also a member of Dairylea Cooperative Inc. Frank enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills and smoking cigars with his grandsons. Brett and Blake have always been envious of his serious mustache. Frank and Laura enjoyed traveling, including trips with friends to Hawaii and Alaska. They were avid snowmobile riders and enjoyed trail riding throughout Wyoming County. Frank was a lifelong friend to Dick Brick, who continued to visit even when Frank lost the ability to carry on a conversation. They reminisced often about Frank’s various pranks especially concerning “Perry Center” and racing Fords and Chevys.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years: Laura Jane (Cole)Ireland, 4 daughters: Regina (Andrew Zinkievich) Ireland of Perry, Sally (Yolanda Montemayor) Ireland of Austin, TX., Mary Jane Ireland of Perry, Cindy (William Stowell) Ireland of Perry, his grandchildren: Brett C. (Andrea Callari) Eliasz of Rochester, Blake J. Eliasz of Rochester, Emma Darocha of Perry, a great grandson: Giancarlo J. Eliasz, his only surviving sibling Jacqueline Ireland Hogestyn of Rochester, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and family from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Saturday December 17th at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 N. Main Street, Perry New York 14530. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday December 18th at 2:00pm at the Perry Center First Congregational Church. He will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Perry.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.
